Comments on: The Bucket List - before there was one

by: Michael Davis

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 12:47:03 +0000

Great comment, Lauren!

I enjoyed reading what you wrote, especially “Bucket Lists may only be scratching the surface.” That is so true. I guess the thing that touched me about the idea of a Bucket List was this: As a society we approach our mortality in a way that is devoid of imagination, passion, and hope. The idea of a Bucket List allows us to quite literally re-imagine the potential of Life’s Final Chapters as one of hopefulness and creativity. It allows us to invest the days where we are able to live well with the knowledge that such times are limited.

But, your point is well taken: What does it say about us as persons if our Bucket List is mostly made up of going to distant and exotic locations. Or, having some amazing experience?

My wife and I never really talked about a Bucket List. We have talked often about what we would regret not having witnessed or done: We do have a mental list of what those things are.

On my list is to see the sun rise on Cape Spear (http://newfoundland-labrador-travel.suite101.com/article.cfm/cape_spear_newfoundland). Per my internet sources, this is the farthest point east on the North American continent. For those who watch the sun rise there on any given day, they are the first ones to see the sun rise in North America. I want to see that someday. But, if I don’t get to see that while I hold my wife’s hand, it will have meant very little. Which I think is exactly your point. And, it was well-made.

Thanks!

Mike Davis

by: laurenk

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 07:51:24 +0000

I saw this movie recently, and was a bit disappointed. Sure, Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson were fine actors. But, while their visits to the pyramids, Eiffel Tower, Great Wall, etc. all made for beautiful cinematography, the story would have been better and more realistic if it actually focused more on things normal people would have on their list. As you alluded to in your story about Ethel, many of us in our last days would just want to spend it with our closest friends and family. Seeing the world would be nice, but would that really be a regret if it’s your last day on earth?

What I found the most effective was the life review that Morgan Freeman was doing as he was on his travels in the movie. Reflecting on our life experiences, maybe even writing those down and sharing them with our loved ones, I think that’s the process we all need to go through to come to peace with our exits. Until then, bucket lists may only be scratching the surface.

by: 4Hope

Sun, 10 Aug 2008 00:02:36 +0000

As usual, you said it just like it is, Mike . . . we are so afraid to die yet are incapable of stating what it is that we are living for. What really matters to us - what values do we hold near to our hearts? What simple pleasures bring joy to our daily routine? If we know these things, we won’t really need a Bucket list. We won’t need to wait until we’re near death to finally decide what we want to do before we die. Although our wish list might not be completely fulfilled with our last breath, we can die knowing that we lived, pretty much, as we wanted to - as we needed to - as we were born to live.

So, I ask myself, “What would I want on my Bucket list?” And we both know pretty much the places I still would like to see here on this planet. These places to visit would not really be a regret if I were never able to visit them with you. Not being with you, however, would be a regret. Not being with all my family and friends in this lifetime would be a regret.

There’s my list. I do hope that if there’s anyone out there who actually reads ElderHope and this article will be able to embrace their own dreams, wishes and core beliefs and strive to live their Bucket list.
Your spouse, Barb